Imperial awards medals to Business School's Professor Lara Cathcart and Afrey Edes

During the graduation ceremony on 2 June, Imperial College London awarded the prestigious Imperial College Medal to two exceptional members of the Business School community: Professor Lara Cathcart and Afrey A. Edes. The medals came in recognition of their transformative impact on the university over the course of their distinguished career.

Professor Lara Cathcart, who has served Imperial for 27 years, was honoured for her pioneering contributions to finance education and her unwavering commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and inclusion.  

“It is an honour to be awarded the Imperial College Medal, and this recognition means a great deal to me. What started out as one finance programme has become a fully-fledged department with several courses producing leaders of the finance industry. I am truly grateful to have played a part in this journey.” said Professor Cathcart, a trailblazer who has co-created and led a suite of MSc programmes.

Her dedication is mirrored with graduates and peers alike citing her as an inspiring mentor, role model, and advocate for gender equity in academia.

Reflecting on her diligence, Dean Peter Todd said, “Lara exemplifies the values of Imperial through her excellence, integrity, and enduring commitment to the university and its students. It is an honour to recognise her with the Imperial College Medal.”

Continuing to shape the future of finance education both at Imperial and internationally, Lara said: “I always believed that the lack of representation of women in the field of finance served as a kind of deterrent for prospective female students and academics. I felt it my duty to provide encouragement to staff and students alike to pursue their dreams." 

Afrey Edes, Executive Director of Faculty Services and Space at the Business School, received the Medal in recognition of over two decades of transformative leadership in operational excellence, innovation, and strategic space planning. Since joining Imperial in 1996, Afrey has played a key role in the growth and development of the Business School, most notably leading on the design and delivery of space innovation initiatives.

Acknowledging her journey at Imperial, Afrey said: “Cross-disciplinary collaboration has always been essential, working with teams in Estates, ICT, student representatives and academic faculty has enabled us to do something genuinely transformative. Receiving this award is both a personal milestone and a testament to the incredible teamwork that defines Imperial.”

Afrey’s leadership was especially vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she swiftly adapted campus facilities for multi-mode learning, enabling high-quality hybrid teaching for thousands of students.

Recognising Afrey's commitment to the Business School community, Peter said, “Afrey’s calm, pragmatic approach, deep institutional knowledge, and unwavering dedication to Imperial’s mission make her a highly respected and valued colleague. It is a privilege to recognise her contributions tonight with the Imperial College Medal." 

Reflecting on her work leading space design and pandemic adaptations, Afrey added: “I feel honoured to be recognised by Imperial for my contribution, it’s a moment of immense pride and reflection, which I’m very grateful for. Throughout my time here, I’ve had the opportunity to work in a number of different roles and contribute in many ways to the outstanding growth of the Business School.”

Her forward-thinking approach and deep understanding of institutional needs have helped shape an environment where both students and staff can thrive.

Professor Cathcart affirms that this recognition is a testimony to the Imperial legacy: “It is the pursuit of scientific advancement, and the quantitative unity of all disciplines, that fosters the ecosystem of research, innovation and education at the Business School and Imperial at large.”

Together, Professor Cathcart and Afrey Edes exemplify the values of Imperial—excellence, innovation, and commitment to the greater academic community—and their lasting legacies continue to shape the future of the institution.